Minnesota United is six games into its 2016 campaign, and Danny Cruz has started all six games on the right side of the attack. The recent signing for United hasn’t appeared on the scoresheet, but he has been an important member of the squad nonetheless. Here’s how:
We spoke to Danny at practice on Tuesday to talk about his role on the squad and what he feels he is doing well.
“I’m not happy about the fact that I’m not on the scoresheet, but when we’re winning games and I’m contributing on the defensive side of the ball and helping create some space for Viva [Kevin Venegas] to do what he does best; … we all have a role to play.
I think on the defensive side, Viva likes to get forward; I think he and I have a good partnership right now and creating space for him… when you’re getting shutouts it’s coming from [being] a team.”
Cruz is correct. Minnesota has kept the ball out of the net conceded only four goals in six games, which ties them with Indianapolis for the stingiest defense in the league. Cruz has played a big part in that — the winger has made 10 interceptions; the most of any midfielder or forward on the team.
That Cruz is willing to drop back and let Kevin Venegas overlap forward should not be underrated either. Cruz’s awareness of when to cover for Viva is an important part of Minnesota’s success thus far and allows Minnesota to attack more freely. Carl Craig is very impressed with Cruz’s contributions. When we spoke with him on Tuesday he had this to say:
Danny’s been in some good goal scoring positions… however his work in front of Venegas has been tremendous… Danny has [offense] in his locker as well, but what he has a little more than some of the others is that ability to defend.
Cruz is tenacious— a word the coach used a numerous times— and his defensive focus is good for the team as a group.
Cruz is tenacious— a word the coach used a numerous times— and his defensive focus is good for the team as a group. The price of this defensive responsibility is that Cruz has conceded 16 fouls. Despite this, he only has received one yellow card; he is putting defensive pressure on the opposition but being intelligent about it.
Role in the Attack
Cruz is completing 72.6% of his passes, which is very good. More impressive is his passing completion in the opponent’s half: 70.6%. Greg Jordan and Daniel Mendes are the only players with a higher completion percentage; Jordan has only played 90 minutes and is injured while Mendes has only played 14 minutes. On top of this, Cruz has been very good in the air, winning 66.7% of his aerial duels. Danny has also made 18 recoveries: a very good number for an attacking wide player.
The change in Cruz’s play from the preseason and first game to the Jacksonville match is quite stark. In the preseason and first match, Cruz seemed to be unable to make an impact on the game. Below are all on-ball actions by Cruz in the first match against Carolina and the most recent faceoff against Jacksonville. Notice the spread in the first as opposed to the focus in the second.
Against Carolina, Cruz was all over the map, while in every game since he has been exclusively on the right flank. He ventures towards the center of the field just inside the opponent’s half and occasionally in Minnesota’s side of the field. In addition, Cruz has attempted more short controlled passes as opposed to the long crosses which didn’t connect in Carolina.
Cruz’s contributions to the team have been defensive stability and maintaining control of the ball, allowing Venegas to get forward and put crosses into the box.
Improvement Needed
Cruz is correct, that there is room for improvement. Included in the above maps are his shots which are far and few between. Of those, only one has been on target, which is not enough.
Cruz’s crossing has been relatively poor, connecting only 13% of the time. He has created 4 chances by Opta’s count, but they have not been converted; that’s not the fault of Danny Cruz.
On the other hand, four chances are not many when compared to the 11 of Ben Speas (who has played nearly an hour less). Lance Laing has created 5 chances in 100 fewer minutes than Cruz.
The midfielders lack of offensive output is certainly due to his covering back for Venegas which often drops him back out of a goal scoring position.
All in all, Cruz has been a solid player for the Loons this season. He is responsible on the defensive end and he has maintained good possession of the ball. He needs to gel with the attack a bit more to truly cement his place in the team, but a winger who is willing to drop back defensively is not to be underrated, and Cruz has certainly been that. The gripes about his play are minor and have been covered by the offensive creation of Venegas, Christian Ramirez, and Ben Speas.
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